Published: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 3:52 p.m.

Gun stores and firearms instructors in Davidson County have been busy after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting as residents are concerned their right to own a gun will be taken away.

"It's been panic buying for about a month," Sam Everhart, owner of Daddy Rabbit's gun store at 970 S. Main St. in Lexington, said Thursday. "It's been crazy. I have never seen anything like it."

Owners of gun stores in Davidson County say they've experienced a high demand for firearms since President Barack Obama took office in 2008, and business picked up even more after the president was reelected this past year. The school shooting Dec. 14, 2012, in which 26 were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, resulted in gun stores across the nation reporting increased sales.

"Our business, like most (gun) shops, has just exploded since the shooting," Everhart said. "I wish our business was just normal and those kids and teachers were still alive. It's an awful thing. I hope (legislators) will be realistic in addressing and reasonable in the problem (that) I think is more mental health issues than with guns in our society."

Obama this week announced his $500 million package of executive actions and legislative proposals aimed at reducing gun violence. The package includes a call on Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. It also would close loopholes in the gun sale background check system that allows people to buy guns at trade shows and over the Internet without submitting to background checks.

"I am extremely pleased that President Obama has acted quickly to charge a task force headed by Vice President (Joe) Biden to formulate a responsible, yet prompt, response to the senseless shootings that took place in Newtown, Conn.," Watt said. "I am also pleased that the president has acted to come forward with what appears to be a comprehensive and common-sense series of administrative and legislative proposals."

"The president's recommendation to restrict our Second Amendment rights is stunning in both its presumption and blatant disregard for the principles upon which our nation was founded," Hudson said. "Not only does enacting potentially unconstitutional measures in response to a tragic incident undermine the rights of every American, but we know these policies don't work."

Dealers says process works

Regarding possible future legislation, Everhart wants to see better communication between mental health professionals and law enforcement before people are approved to buy guns.

"I don't know of any gun dealer in the country that wants to sell a gun to a maniac," Everhart said. "With the background check system that we follow, we do everything the law requires and more. It's obviously not doing a good job in that regard."

Everhart also is a supporter of teachers and administrators who have their concealed carry handgun permits to carry their weapon on school premises.

"Right now they are prohibited," he said of school personnel carrying weapons on campuses. "These people have already passed background checks and are already school employed. Allow them to carry if they choose to. That would be a first line of defense. These people who are dong the shootings are not only crazy but callous. They are going into areas they know where people are going to be defenseless. Let the school administrators and teachers carry and let it be known there are people here who can defend us."

Jerry Summerlin, owner of Guns & Such LLC at 6129 N.C. Highway 8, reports that gun dealers can't stock their shelves with more firearms because of the demand for them. Customers, he said, are scared of losing their right to have a firearm for their protection.

Summerlin said residents who purchase a handgun must have a permit to do so from the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. Customers who purchase a shotgun must have a federal background check run prior to them being allowed to buy one.

"There is no room for error," Summerlin said of his store's process in documenting gun purchases. "You have to make sure everything is right. Everything has to be signed and dated."

Fred Sink is the owner of The Gun Store at 3000 Old U.S. Highway 52. His store has been busy like others in Davidson County.

"It's a terrible thing," Sink said of the Connecticut school shooting. "… We are a rural area. We have safe places to shoot. We have public and private (shooting) ranges. People who come into the store are honest people and good gun owners. They are not going to do something crazy with a gun. The sheriff's department does a good job of weeding people out that shouldn't have guns. The federal government lets us down, turning the criminals loose."

Sheriff's office sees spike

Davidson County Sheriff David Grice released statistics that show the number of people who applied for pistol permits from the sheriff's office grew by 164 percent from the end of 2007 to the end of 2012. There were 935 residents to apply for pistol permits in 2007 and 2,469 in 2012. Additionally, there were 586 people who applied for concealed carry handgun permits in 2007 and 2,007 in 2012, a growth of 242 percent.

"In my opinion, I attribute (the increase in applicants) to the change in administration in Washington and people's concerns that the new administration may be inclined to impose more stringent regulations on the possession of firearms," Grice said.

Grice stressed the importance of residents being able to own firearms.

"Should our system (the government) break down, we should have the means to defend ourselves," the sheriff said.

Lt. J.L. Shuskey of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office says the problem is not with the gun.

"Everybody wants to ban the gun," he said. "How many people are wanting to ban Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan because of a drunk driver? … But they want to blame it on the gun. It's the person doing it that we need to deal with."

The Piedmont Handgunners Association is based out of Linwood and has a private shooting range. Ray Owens, the association's president, said his group had 16 new members at its January meeting. The PHA, he said, typically has four or five new members at each monthly meeting.

Owens said people are purchasing guns and ammunition in fear of not being able to purchase them in the future. The demand, he said, has caused prices for ammunition to double.

"It's really bad that it's like this because the people who generally would practice or shoot matches are going to be faced with the possibility of not being able to participate in some of the matches because of the price of ammunition is so high," he said. "… People are afraid of what could possibly happen. For us to have 16 new members, that's a real oddity."

'World is not getting any safer'

Terry Hill, a Thomasville resident, is a concealed carry handgun instructor. He said concealed carry handgun instructors are "swamped." He said he has students who come from Rowan, Forsyth, Guilford and even Union counties to take his classes.

"The world is not getting any safer," Hill said. "It's only getting worse. It's not the gun owners. It's the people."

Davidson County District Attorney Garry Frank said he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.

"I think the Second Amendment is as important as the other (constitutional amendments)," Frank said. "I believe law-abiding citizens being armed is beneficial."

Frank is concerned about any further laws being passed that would restrict guns. Those types of laws, the district attorney said, would make law-abiding citizens criminals as he doesn't think residents will comply with the surrender of the weapons.

"I believe it will be a mess," Frank said.

Obama is asking Congress to renew the ban on high-grade, military assault weapons that was first signed into law by President Bill Clinton but expired in 2004.

Josh Wilson of Thomasville says he doesn't worry about a ban on weapons. He said the Second Amendment is there for a reason.

"It's not the laws that are going to change," Wilson said. "It's the personal responsibility and awareness, people teaching their kids about firearms, how they should be handled. Laws won't be able to change anything. It may stop it a little bit. It's really about the responsibility of people."

Tim Hurley, a Norwood resident who works in Lexington, is concerned about a ban on assault rifles.

"I do know if you give up your right to own that, it's going to be your pistols next and long guns next," Hurley said. "Everybody has the right to own what they (want) to as long as they use it in the proper way."

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

<p>Gun stores and firearms instructors in Davidson County have been busy after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting as residents are concerned their right to own a gun will be taken away.</p><p>"It's been panic buying for about a month," Sam Everhart, owner of Daddy Rabbit's gun store at 970 S. Main St. in Lexington, said Thursday. "It's been crazy. I have never seen anything like it."</p><p>Owners of gun stores in Davidson County say they've experienced a high demand for firearms since President Barack Obama took office in 2008, and business picked up even more after the president was reelected this past year. The school shooting Dec. 14, 2012, in which 26 were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, resulted in gun stores across the nation reporting increased sales.</p><p>"Our business, like most (gun) shops, has just exploded since the shooting," Everhart said. "I wish our business was just normal and those kids and teachers were still alive. It's an awful thing. I hope (legislators) will be realistic in addressing and reasonable in the problem (that) I think is more mental health issues than with guns in our society."</p><p>Obama this week announced his $500 million package of executive actions and legislative proposals aimed at reducing gun violence. The package includes a call on Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. It also would close loopholes in the gun sale background check system that allows people to buy guns at trade shows and over the Internet without submitting to background checks.</p><p>Obama's plan prompted U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th, and Rep. Mel Watt, D-12th, to issue statements.</p><p>"I am extremely pleased that President Obama has acted quickly to charge a task force headed by Vice President (Joe) Biden to formulate a responsible, yet prompt, response to the senseless shootings that took place in Newtown, Conn.," Watt said. "I am also pleased that the president has acted to come forward with what appears to be a comprehensive and common-sense series of administrative and legislative proposals."</p><p>"The president's recommendation to restrict our Second Amendment rights is stunning in both its presumption and blatant disregard for the principles upon which our nation was founded," Hudson said. "Not only does enacting potentially unconstitutional measures in response to a tragic incident undermine the rights of every American, but we know these policies don't work."</p><p><B>Dealers says process works</B></p><p>Regarding possible future legislation, Everhart wants to see better communication between mental health professionals and law enforcement before people are approved to buy guns.</p><p>"I don't know of any gun dealer in the country that wants to sell a gun to a maniac," Everhart said. "With the background check system that we follow, we do everything the law requires and more. It's obviously not doing a good job in that regard."</p><p>Everhart also is a supporter of teachers and administrators who have their concealed carry handgun permits to carry their weapon on school premises.</p><p>"Right now they are prohibited," he said of school personnel carrying weapons on campuses. "These people have already passed background checks and are already school employed. Allow them to carry if they choose to. That would be a first line of defense. These people who are dong the shootings are not only crazy but callous. They are going into areas they know where people are going to be defenseless. Let the school administrators and teachers carry and let it be known there are people here who can defend us."</p><p>Jerry Summerlin, owner of Guns & Such LLC at 6129 N.C. Highway 8, reports that gun dealers can't stock their shelves with more firearms because of the demand for them. Customers, he said, are scared of losing their right to have a firearm for their protection.</p><p>Summerlin said residents who purchase a handgun must have a permit to do so from the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. Customers who purchase a shotgun must have a federal background check run prior to them being allowed to buy one.</p><p>"There is no room for error," Summerlin said of his store's process in documenting gun purchases. "You have to make sure everything is right. Everything has to be signed and dated."</p><p>Fred Sink is the owner of The Gun Store at 3000 Old U.S. Highway 52. His store has been busy like others in Davidson County.</p><p>"It's a terrible thing," Sink said of the Connecticut school shooting. "… We are a rural area. We have safe places to shoot. We have public and private (shooting) ranges. People who come into the store are honest people and good gun owners. They are not going to do something crazy with a gun. The sheriff's department does a good job of weeding people out that shouldn't have guns. The federal government lets us down, turning the criminals loose."</p><p><B>Sheriff's office sees spike</B></p><p>Davidson County Sheriff David Grice released statistics that show the number of people who applied for pistol permits from the sheriff's office grew by 164 percent from the end of 2007 to the end of 2012. There were 935 residents to apply for pistol permits in 2007 and 2,469 in 2012. Additionally, there were 586 people who applied for concealed carry handgun permits in 2007 and 2,007 in 2012, a growth of 242 percent.</p><p>"In my opinion, I attribute (the increase in applicants) to the change in administration in Washington and people's concerns that the new administration may be inclined to impose more stringent regulations on the possession of firearms," Grice said.</p><p>Grice stressed the importance of residents being able to own firearms.</p><p>"Should our system (the government) break down, we should have the means to defend ourselves," the sheriff said.</p><p>Lt. J.L. Shuskey of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office says the problem is not with the gun.</p><p>"Everybody wants to ban the gun," he said. "How many people are wanting to ban Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan because of a drunk driver? … But they want to blame it on the gun. It's the person doing it that we need to deal with."</p><p>The Piedmont Handgunners Association is based out of Linwood and has a private shooting range. Ray Owens, the association's president, said his group had 16 new members at its January meeting. The PHA, he said, typically has four or five new members at each monthly meeting.</p><p>Owens said people are purchasing guns and ammunition in fear of not being able to purchase them in the future. The demand, he said, has caused prices for ammunition to double.</p><p>"It's really bad that it's like this because the people who generally would practice or shoot matches are going to be faced with the possibility of not being able to participate in some of the matches because of the price of ammunition is so high," he said. "… People are afraid of what could possibly happen. For us to have 16 new members, that's a real oddity."</p><p><B>'World is not getting any safer'</B></p><p>Terry Hill, a Thomasville resident, is a concealed carry handgun instructor. He said concealed carry handgun instructors are "swamped." He said he has students who come from Rowan, Forsyth, Guilford and even Union counties to take his classes.</p><p>"The world is not getting any safer," Hill said. "It's only getting worse. It's not the gun owners. It's the people."</p><p>Davidson County District Attorney Garry Frank said he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.</p><p>"I think the Second Amendment is as important as the other (constitutional amendments)," Frank said. "I believe law-abiding citizens being armed is beneficial."</p><p>Frank is concerned about any further laws being passed that would restrict guns. Those types of laws, the district attorney said, would make law-abiding citizens criminals as he doesn't think residents will comply with the surrender of the weapons.</p><p>"I believe it will be a mess," Frank said.</p><p>Obama is asking Congress to renew the ban on high-grade, military assault weapons that was first signed into law by President Bill Clinton but expired in 2004.</p><p>Josh Wilson of Thomasville says he doesn't worry about a ban on weapons. He said the Second Amendment is there for a reason.</p><p>"It's not the laws that are going to change," Wilson said. "It's the personal responsibility and awareness, people teaching their kids about firearms, how they should be handled. Laws won't be able to change anything. It may stop it a little bit. It's really about the responsibility of people."</p><p>Tim Hurley, a Norwood resident who works in Lexington, is concerned about a ban on assault rifles.</p><p>"I do know if you give up your right to own that, it's going to be your pistols next and long guns next," Hurley said. "Everybody has the right to own what they (want) to as long as they use it in the proper way."</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.</p>